Chapter 1
Sarah
I stifle a groan when I get an eyeful of the waiting room. It’s still early in the afternoon. That usually means a temporary lull in the flow of patients arriving at the clinic, so we can have some much-needed downtime. It’s always a welcome break for everyone, but today especially I was really looking forward to it. I can’t wait to hear all about Jill’s hot date she had on the weekend.
I’m not seeing anyone right now. I’m too busy for a relationship these days, so I don’t mind that too much. But sometimes it’s nice to at least hear about what’s happening in the dating world these days.
But what with the crazy stream of patients today, I don’t even see Jill until my shift’s nearly done. I corner her once there’s a break in the flow.
“So? Tell me.”
She lowers her voice. “You won’t believe it.”
“Don’t you dare hold out on me, Jill.” She’s had the last two days off, and I can’t wait any longer to hear the highlights.
“Come over here.” We walk over to a corner of the clinic where we won’t be overheard.
This is going to be good.
“He had a surprise for me. Something we talked about, but I never thought would happen.”
She pauses and I can’t stand it. “Come on, Jill. My shift’s nearly over and we’re going to get busy again. Spill it now.”
Her voice drops down even more. “Two men.”
“What?” Of all the things she could have said, I never expected anything like that. “What are you talking about?”
“Bill and his friend. In bed with me. Both of them totally focused on me. It was unbelievable. Two men exploring my body. Touching, kissing, tasting me.” She shivers. “All over.”
Jill’s eyes are big as she waits for my reaction.
I can’t believe it. I don’t know what to say. “You’re kidding. Right?”
She shakes her head, about to continue when a call comes from the front. “Gotta run. I’ll tell you about it later.”
Jill heads off and I go back to file some charts until it’s time to go. I can’t stop thinking about Jill’s wild night. I don’t usually miss dating.
Right now, I definitely do.
Of course, I always miss the sex part. And if Jill’s telling the truth, I’m envious. Talk about a hot night.
I’m done my shift and heading out when I see him. Dr. Daniel Ashton. He goes by Ash and so we all call him Dr. Ash when we’re talking to him.
In private, we call him Dr. Sexy.
He flashes me his gorgeous smile. “Done for the day, Sarah?”
I clear my throat. “Yes.” I had to train myself to stop blushing around him really soon after I started working at the clinic. I thought I was over it for good. Right up until now. Seeing Dr. Ash right after hearing even a little bit about Jill’s night is pretty hard to take.
I’m not crushing on him because he’s a doctor. It’s how smoking hot he is. It sounds too good to be true, and it usually is. Most doctors I’ve worked with so far are average-looking at best. Dr. Ash is the first one I’ve met who looks like a male model. He could easily pass for a big screen actor in Hollywood.
I have to be professional around him, and it’s not easy. This man is absolutely what fantasies are made of. I try really hard to keep my composure when he’s near. Usually I succeed.
That’s not happening now, not right after hearing about Jill’s hot night.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening.” Dr. Ash disappears into the nearest exam room. I try to stifle a sigh. Aside from Jill and her stories, he’s the only other person around who can make me wish I was in a relationship.
With him.
The subway’s insanely crowded as I make my way home. It doesn’t usually bother me, but today’s the exception. I have to force myself not to get upset as being bumped and jostled every five seconds. Inhaling deeply, I try to focus on something nice so I can pretend I’m enjoying myself. It helps me get through this commute. Of course my thoughts rush right back to the end of my shift.
Dr. Sexy. Then Jill’s threesome. I want to hear more about it. I can’t imagine having a threesome. Getting with Ash alone would be more than enough for me. I can’t think of any guy that could compare to him. Not that it’s ever going to happen.
I hardly ever let myself think about Ash outside of work. Even if we ever stopped working together, I can’t see him going for me. He could have any woman he wants. Everyone working in the clinic would jump at the chance to be with him. Even the married ones join in when the discussion turns to him.
I try to force my thoughts away from him and back onto Jill’s hot date. I can’t deny that she’s made me curious about what being with two men would be like. It sure sounds good. Double the hands. Fingers. Tongues.
Nothing wrong with that.
Okay, it’s been awhile since I’ve been with a guy. Maybe just a little too long. That’s why I’m thinking about Ash when I shouldn’t be.
My ex and I broke up a few months ago. It didn’t end badly, but we don’t really keep in touch. We never had much in common and it took way too long for me to realize that. He wasn’t half bad in bed, though. If I miss anything at all about him, it’s the sex.
Maybe I should give him a call.
Not that I want to start something up with him again. I’m in no position to be getting involved with anyone. Men are a distraction, and I have to focus on finishing school and doing well at the clinic. Then, the doors will open up for me and I can finally earn a decent living. Stop worrying about money and start living better.
I’ve worked so hard to get where I am, I can’t let anything get in my way now. Not when I’m so close to the prizes I’ve wanted for so long. A great career as a nurse. Money. Independence.
I can keep my social life on hold for awhile longer. I don’t think it’ll kill me. Except when I see Ash.
Then I can’t help but think about how nice it would be to feel desired. To have some fun, even just for one night.
That would never lead to a long-term relationship. And that’s what I want to have. A man who’s committed to me. Someone who would sweep me off my feet and never let me forget just how much he wants to be with me. Romance. Yes. It might be too much to expect these days, but that’s what I want.
I get to my stop, and luckily the next train I need to take pulls in after only a moment. Once I’ve squeezed inside, my thoughts go back to Ash once again.
His sexy smile. His deep, I’m-in-charge voice, the sharp gleam in his eyes.
Hey, there’s nothing wrong with daydreaming. Except that by the time I get home, I’m in full-blown crush mode.
There’s only one thing to do about that.
I’m too hungry to skip dinner. After I put last night’s leftovers in the microwave, I glance at the time. Ten o’clock. At this time of night, it should be steady at the clinic. Not crazy busy, but enough to keep everyone on their toes. It’s easy to picture Ash moving from patient to patient, smoothly examining and diagnosing their issues. I’ve never seen him in a bad mood, no matter what he has to face.
He doesn’t even seem to mind working until midnight. It’s not really his choice, since he’s the newest doctor there. He can’t come in for a few hours once or twice a week like some can. But he never complains about it. Whenever Ash and I pull the same shift, he always looks as good at the end of it as he did at the beginning. Handsome and ready for anything.
I click the TV on and settle onto the sofa with my dinner. I should be studying, but I can’t bring myself to crack open a book right now. I eat as fast as I can, finishing just a few minutes before the end of the sitcom I have on. Once it’s over, I’m ready to go to bed. I’ll get up early tomorrow to make up for not getting anything done tonight.
The moment my head hits the pillow, the fantasies about Ash come right back into my mind. I can’t forget about Jill’s threesome either. Two men at a time. What would that be like?
As long as one was Ash, I’d be on board with that. It’s something I can dream about. But for another time. Tonight I belong to Ash, even if he doesn’t know it. It’s his hand caressing my breasts. His palm brushing over my nipples. His lips nibbling my ear, while his other hand spreads my legs open.
Reaching into my bedside table, I grab for my vibrator. It’s brand new and I’ve only used it once. I never thought I’d get into using vibrators. But ever since the first time I tried one, wow. I’ll never go back. Clicking it on, I stroke it over the fabric of my panties. I can come at lightning speed, but I don’t want to do that now.
Gently I run it over my clit. My body responds instantly and instead of a toy, it’s Ash’s hands on me. His tongue. He’s kissing me all over, fingers busy between my moist lips.
My body arcs up with pleasure as I slide the vibe between my folds. It’s such exquisite torture, trying to draw everything out. I can’t hold out much longer.
Quickly I switch my mental slide show to Ash’s body. He’s on top of me, his big muscled chest against me. His arms around my waist, lifting my hips. His big cock sliding inside of me.
I can’t hold back. The orgasm rises from deep inside of me and washes over my body. It’s so good, I actually cry out. I hold on to the image of Ash for a little longer. He’s coming too, his cock throbbing deep inside of me.
Turning the vibe off, I set it aside. That was fun. Fast and fun. It hasn’t cleared my head though.
I’m still thinking about Ash as I slip over into sleep.
I wake up totally disoriented. I was dreaming about Ash, just like I was last night in bed. But I’m not in bed. It’s not last night. It’s tonight, and I’m on the night shift. My alarm’s startled me awake. I don’t usually nap on my breaks but tonight I’m just so tired. The breakroom’s dark and I have no idea what time it is. I only know that my short break’s over already.
I get up, my heart still beating fast as I run a hand through my hair to straighten it. I drain the remains of my coffee cup then I head back out. The fluorescent lights make me want to squeeze my eyes shut against their brightness. The hallway’s pretty quiet back here as I hurry along.
Rounding the corner on my way out to the front, I slam into what feels like a solid wall. I’m falling, flat on my back almost before I realize it. I’m on the floor, trying to catch my breath and wondering what on earth happened.
“Oh, Sarah. I’m sorry.”
I squint, trying to recognize the man who’s extending his hand down to help me up. I’m on my feet by the time I realize it’s Dr. Ash.
“Are you alright?”
His piercing blue eyes show his concern. I blink, trying to act composed and confident. Not so easy when I’ve just woken up after a too-short nap at work and been knocked down to the floor.
Yeah. Super dignified. Why does he have to see me like this?
“I’m fine. Just great.” I try to smile, like it’s not a big deal. Collisions between staff aren’t too uncommon, what with people rushing around. Of course it’s never happened to me, not before now. Why my first crash has to be with my crush, I have no idea.
Ash shakes his head, smiling at me. “Again, I’m really sorry. No need for you to end up as my patient.” He pats me on the shoulder. Does he know the effect he has on me? Probably. My cheeks are starting to burn.
“No. Definitely not.” I can’t come up with a good response. He’s already walking off, in a hurry to get wherever he’s going.
I head off the opposite way. I’m left with thoughts of Dr. Ash examining my naked body, but not as his patient.
Definitely not.
He has no right to be so gorgeous. It makes it way too difficult to work with him.
The clinic hasn’t been too busy tonight, but a new patient is just being admitted. He’s not bad off, except for a slight grimace of pain crossing his face as he gingerly lies down, favoring his one leg over the other.
I close the door behind us. “I’m Sarah, I’ll be taking some information from you.”
In spite of being in pain, he gives me a warm smile. “Nice to meet you, Sarah.”
“So what brings you in tonight?”
“I was injured in hockey practice.”
So that’s why I recognize him. I’m not a sports fan in any way, but you’d have to be living in a cave to not know who this man is. Cory Reynolds, the newest and hottest upcoming hockey star in New York. Also known as The Core.
I always figured the pictures of him in ads were touched up. Now I can see that they didn’t have to be. He’s model handsome.
Why do I only meet hot men on the job? Where there’s absolutely no chance of anything happening? That’s so messed up.
I go through my usual questions and make notes. “Okay, that’s it. The doctor will be in to see you soon.”
“Thank you, Sarah.”
I’m already on my way out when I stop short and turn back to face him. He remembers my name? That never happens. We’re just workers to the patients. This man’s made an effort. Why?
He’s smiling at me. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
“You’re…you’re welcome.” Heat rushes to my cheeks for the second time tonight. I turn and walk away.
What an odd night. Ash rams into me. Although not in the way I’d like him to. Hockey star Cory was kind of flirting with me. At least a little bit.
For a moment, I let myself imagine meeting Dr. Ash or Cory in different circumstances. What could happen if I was able to go out with either one of them?
I give my head a brisk shake. That kind of thinking is best kept for after work, when my thoughts can run free.